WAREWASHING SYSTEM ARM
A rinse arm or wash arm includes a tubular body connected to a fluid source. The tubular body has at least a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough. The first aperture forms a first spray and the second aperture forms a second spray when the fluid flows through the tubular body from the fluid source. The first aperture has a first aperture axis therethrough and the second aperture has a second aperture axis therethrough. The first aperture axis forms a first angle with a first vertical axis and the second aperture axis forms a second angle with a second vertical axis. The first angle is greater than 0 degrees, so that the first aperture directs the first spray towards the second spray forming an overlapping spray of the first spray and the second spray.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/287,597, filed Dec. 17, 2009. The contents of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/287,597, filed Dec. 17, 2009, are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates generally to spray of fluid in a warewashing system and methods therefore. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an arm for spraying fluid within a warewashing system that is arched.
2. Description of Related Art
Warewashing systems have one or more arms that spray fluid, for example, water, onto wares, such as, glasses, utensils, plates, and the like. Warewashing systems may have wash arms and rinse arms. Wash arms recirculate water that includes detergent from a wash tank. Rinse arms within warewashing systems serve dual functions of removing chemical detergent left over after the wash cycle and imparting heat energy (commonly referred to as heat units) to the ware for sanitization purposes.
Arms that spray fluid are critical in warewashing systems to achieve cleanliness and sanitization, with water and detergents and/or sanitizing agents being sprayed from the arms. This spraying causes patterns of pumped wash water, pumped rinse water, pressure rinse water (collectively “water”); detergents; rinse agents and/or sanitizers or air to be dispersed across and amongst the ware being washed throughout the warewashing system. The water imparts/conveys heat to the ware in the warewashing system for sanitizing purposes. The position and number of spray nozzles along a length of an arm and the configuration of the arm itself causes patterns of spray dispersion coverage. The spray may miss some ware in part or entirely, wasting water, detergents, rinse agents and/or sanitizers or air and diminishing wash, rinse or air effectiveness.
In typical warewashing systems, the arms are linear and may be stationary or rotating. The nozzles are arranged along the length of the arm so that angles of spray dispersion are substantially perpendicular to the ware, creating cone-like dispersion patterns 8, as depicted in
As shown in
Accordingly, it has been determined by the present disclosure, that there is a need for an arm of a warewashing system that has nozzles formed thereon, each forming a spray, to maximize overlap of the sprays of each of the nozzles. There is a further need for an arm that ensures that the water leaving the nozzles of the arm is not wasted by missing an intended target.
SUMMARYA rinse arm or wash arm is provided that includes a tubular body connected to a fluid source. The tubular body has at least a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough. The first aperture forms a first spray and the second aperture forms a second spray when the fluid flows through the tubular body from the fluid source. The first aperture has a first aperture axis therethrough and the second aperture has a second aperture axis therethrough. The first aperture axis forms a first angle with a first vertical axis and the second aperture axis forms a second angle with a second vertical axis. The first angle is greater than 0 degrees, so that the first aperture directs the first spray towards the second spray forming an overlapping spray of the first spray and the second spray.
A warewashing system is also provided that includes a housing, a rack holding a plurality of wares in the housing, a rack support that supports the rack in the housing, and a tubular body connected to a fluid source. The tubular body has at least a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough. The first aperture forms a first spray and the second aperture forms a second spray when the fluid flows through the tubular body from the fluid source. The first aperture has a first aperture axis therethrough and the second aperture has a second aperture axis therethrough. The first aperture axis forms a first angle with a first vertical axis and the second aperture axis forms a second angle with a second vertical axis. The first angle is greater than 0 degrees, so that the first aperture directs the first spray towards the second spray forming an overlapping spray of the first spray and the second spray contacting the wares.
The above-described and other advantages and features of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.
Referring to the drawings and in particular to
Nozzles 40 may each have a nozzle wall 46. Nozzle wall 46 is connected on an end 48 to wall 42 and has an opposite end 50 that is free. Nozzle wall 46 surrounds a passage from an aperture through wall 42 to end 50 that forms a conduit. Each nozzle wall 46 may be substantially perpendicular to wall 42. Alternatively, nozzles 40 may each be formed by a bore through wall 42 and omit nozzle wall 46. The arch or curve of tubular body 38 at a point 52 where each of nozzles 40 is formed determines an angle of a spray of each of nozzles 40. Each of nozzles 40 has a nozzle axis 54 therethrough that forms an angle 55 with a vertical axis 56. At least one of nozzles 40 has angle 55 that is greater than 0 degrees, so that the at least one of nozzles 40 directs the spray towards a spray of another of nozzles 40 to overlap. Arm 36 has at least two of nozzles 40 so that the at least two of nozzles 40 each form a spray that is angled to overlap one another. Nozzles 40 are each angled toward an axis 57 that passes through an apex of the arch of tubular body 38. Nozzles 40 may be variously shaped, for example, nozzles can be conical, flat, fan-shaped. Typically, industry-standard nozzles are designed to pass certain amounts of water without clogging the nozzle. Nozzles 40 may be formed to balance an amount of water used with a size of a wash chamber of the warewashing system, and to meet an overall design and performance criteria of the warewashing system. For example, as shown in
Nozzles 40 may be welded perpendicularly to tubular body 38 while tubular body 38 is uncurved for ease of manufacture. Tubular body 38 is deformed or curved in a manufacturing process to form an arched shape or curve of arm 36. By being arched, an effect of angle 55 of nozzles 40 is achieved due to the curvature of the arm itself. Spacing of nozzles 40 are configured and dimensioned to meet the purpose of the warewashing system (e.g. the type of ware being processed, such as glasses, dishes, pots, and/or pans). Depending on the number of nozzles used with arm 36, the nozzles can be evenly or unevenly spaced along the arm between the placement of a nozzle at or near the ends of the arm. For example, as shown in
Tubular body 38 has a curvature that is dimensioned and configured to fit within a warewasher chamber of the warewashing system to maximize a spray pattern coverage of ware washed therein. It is desirable to maximize overlap of all of the sprays of nozzles 40. The curvature of tubular body 38 depends on the height and width of the washing chamber. For example, as shown in
As shown in
Spray pattern 61 has a cross sectional area 62 within the spray pattern where no water is sprayed. Spray pattern 61 does not contact ware within cross sectional area 62. Areas 64-70 indicate areas of spray coverage. Area 64 indicates an area where water, detergent and/or sanitizing agent from one of nozzles 40 impact the ware in rack 58. Area 66 indicates an area where water, detergent and/or sanitizing agent from two nozzles of nozzles 40 combine to impact the ware. Area 68 shows a spray coverage of three of nozzles 40 combined that impact the ware. Area 70 shows a spray coverage of four of nozzles 40 combined that impact the ware. Areas marked 72 show areas that water may miss the ware entirely, and, is wasted.
The arch of tubular body 38 creates spray pattern 61 which maximizes an overall spray pattern within boundary B and increases an overall breadth of coverage of density of water, detergents, rinse agents and/or sanitizers or air in all areas of the spray pattern. Nozzles 74 and 76 at the ends of arm 36 are angled inward or toward one another, and moved to an outer edge of boundary B, as compared to nozzles 13 and 15 in
The resultant coverage or dispersion patterns of the combined nozzles of spray pattern 61 results in larger amounts of water, detergents, rinse agents and/or sanitizers or air in all areas 64, 66, 68, 70 and 72 that actually contact the wares being washed, reduces water and reduces areas where no water may be present as ware passes. As depicted, the waste area 72 is minimized by the arm having the arch shape. With the arm having the arch shape of the present disclosure, the angles of spray dispersion are enlarged, maximizing the spray coverage, improving cleanliness and/or sanitization, and saving the amount of detergents, rinse agents and/or sanitizers or air used to achieve maximum coverage of the wares being washed.
For example, in comparison to arm 10 shown in
To compare the efficacy of arm 10 and arm 36, a comparative test that utilized a typical straight arm, arm 10, and an arched arm, arm 36, each as rinse arms to spray ware clean of soap residue as ware passes from a wash area of a warewashing system, was conducted. Test conditions and process were used that include: ware was passed through the warewashing system at a rate of 225 racks per hour; 24 juice glasses were set into each rack; a rinse spray flow rate was set at 90 gallons per hour; and a soap concentration in a wash tank was set at 15 drops as determined by titration of a detergent solution using a phenolphthalein indicator and hydrochloric acid drops to neutralize the soap/detergent. The test process included: as the rack exited the warewashing system, 1 drop of phenolphthalein indicator was placed on the top of the glasses; absence of color indicated no detergent residue is left after passing through a rinse area; and color (ranging from pink to purple) indicated detergent residue remaining. The test results included, using arm 10 as a rinse arm, 10 of the 24 glasses failed the detergent carryover for a 58% pass rate, and using arm 36 as a rinse arm, all glasses passed for a 100% pass rate.
Referring to
Referring to
Arm 36 improves the efficiency and efficacy of the warewashing system and realizes savings in water consumption and energy used over arm 10. Prior to current government regulations, such as, the Energy Star program, there was no regulation that pushed/required savings in water and other consumables (detergents, etc.) or energy consumption. Accordingly, there was no prior need to be concerned with, for example, water consumption. With the advent of new requirements, improvements to the conventional system do not sufficiently/adequately address rising requirements. The arms having the arched shape goes beyond current standards and will establish industry leadership. An example of results: the conventional systems use about 0.8 gallons of water per rack while the arms having the arched shape used as spray arms use only 0.38 gallons of water per rack. A warewashing system having the arms with an arch shape can have a water consumption of 70 gallons per hour in contrast to 300 gallons per hour of arms that are straight. The arms having an arch shape will use overall less water than conventional systems while at the same time having more of the water that is used actually cover/disperse upon the ware being washed, rinsed or sanitized. The arms having an arch shape increases a density of water that contacts the wares. Another potential savings is the use of smaller horse power pumps with the arms having the arch shape, which could save pump costs and will also save energy. The arms having the arch shape uses less rinse agents and less sanitizers and achieves better results. While conventionally systems typically use four (4) nozzles per arm, because of the efficiency and effectiveness of the arm having an arch shape, fewer nozzles per arm may be used, saving nozzle and manufacturing costs as well as water, detergent, rinse agent and sanitizers.
The arm having the arch shape can be stationary or rotatable.
Nozzles 40 are directed inwardly towards the center of the chamber to maximize the crossed spray areas in arm 36. Other alternatives could be the inward directionality but off-centered focus.
Referring to
It should also be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A rinse arm comprising:
- a tubular body connected to a fluid source, said tubular body having at least a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough, said first aperture forming a first spray and said second aperture forming a second spray when said fluid flows through said tubular body from said fluid source, said first aperture having a first aperture axis therethrough and said second aperture having a second aperture axis therethrough, said first aperture axis forming a first angle with a first vertical axis and said second aperture axis forming a second angle with a second vertical axis, and said first angle being greater than 0 degrees, so that said first aperture directs said first spray towards said second spray forming an overlapping spray of said first spray and said second spray.
2. The rinse arm of claim 1, wherein said tubular body is an arched shape along a length of said tubular body.
3. The rinse arm of claim 2, wherein said tubular body is curved to form said arched shape.
4. The rinse arm of claim 2, wherein said tubular body is a plurality of segments that are connected to form said arched shape, and wherein each of said plurality of segments is straight.
5. The rinse arm of claim 1, wherein said tubular body is straight along a length of said tubular body, wherein each of said first aperture and said second aperture has a nozzle wall, and wherein at least one of said nozzle walls is connected to said tubular body so that it is non-perpendicular to said tubular body.
6. The rinse arm of claim 1, further comprising a warewashing system connected to the rinse arm, and wherein said warewashing system connected to the rinse arm has a water consumption of 70 gallons per hour.
7. A wash arm comprising:
- a tubular body connected to a fluid source, said tubular body having at least a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough, said first aperture forming a first spray and said second aperture forming a second spray when said fluid flows through said tubular body from said fluid source, said first aperture having a first aperture axis therethrough and said second aperture having a second aperture axis therethrough, said first aperture axis forming a first angle with a first vertical axis and said second aperture axis forming a second angle with a second vertical axis, and said first angle being greater than 0 degrees, so that said first aperture directs said first spray towards said second spray forming an overlapping spray of said first spray and said second spray.
8. The wash arm of claim 7, wherein said tubular body is an arched shape along a length of said tubular body.
9. The wash arm of claim 8, wherein said tubular body is curved to form said arched shape.
10. The wash arm of claim 8, wherein said tubular body is a plurality of segments that are connected to form said arched shape, and wherein each of said plurality of segments is straight.
11. The wash arm of claim 7, wherein said tubular body is straight along a length of said tubular body, wherein each of said apertures has a nozzle wall, and wherein at least one of said nozzle walls is connected to said tubular body so that it is non-perpendicular to said tubular body.
12. The wash arm of claim 7, further comprising a warewashing system connected to the wash arm, and wherein said warewashing system connected to the wash arm has a water consumption of 70 gallons per hour.
13. The wash arm of claim 7, further comprising a warewashing system connected to the wash arm, and wherein said warewashing system connected to the wash arm uses 0.38 gallons of water per rack.
14. A warewashing system comprising:
- a housing;
- a rack holding a plurality of wares in said housing;
- a rack support that supports said rack in said housing; and
- a tubular body connected to a fluid source, said tubular body having at least a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough, said first aperture forming a first spray and said second aperture forming a second spray when said fluid flows through said tubular body from said fluid source, said first aperture having a first aperture axis therethrough and said second aperture having a second aperture axis therethrough, said first aperture axis forming a first angle with a first vertical axis and said second aperture axis forming a second angle with a second vertical axis, and said first angle being greater than 0 degrees, so that said first aperture directs said first spray towards said second spray forming an overlapping spray of said first spray and said second spray contacting said wares.
15. The warewashing system of claim 14, wherein the warewashing system is a conveyorized warewashing system, and wherein said rack support is a conveyor.
16. The warewashing system of claim 14, wherein said tubular body rotates.
17. The warewashing system of claim 14, wherein said fluid passing through said tubular body out said apertures has a pressure of 15 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) to 30 psig.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 17, 2010
Publication Date: Jun 23, 2011
Patent Grant number: 8517036
Applicant:
Inventor: James S. CALHOUN (Corbin, KY)
Application Number: 12/971,618
International Classification: A47L 15/42 (20060101); B05B 1/14 (20060101);